Posted 4 years ago
5 Small Makeup Tweaks for Complete Transformation
Ready to Update Your Decades-Old Make-Up Routine?
We are living in a new “normal”. Most of the time you are wearing a mask and skin irritation and dryness is commonplace. A lot has changed in the last decade when it comes to makeup. Face makeup can sometimes be more of an irritant – drying the skin while it soaks up any needed moisture. Here are some tips to hopefully update your makeup bag and keep your skin healthy.
Sponges are Out, Brushes Are In
Sponges not only soak up all of your makeup products, but they are also breeding grounds for germs because they can’t be easily cleaned. If you love using sponges – new routine – 1 sponge = 1 application and then toss those germ-laden sponges into the trash and purchase some brushes that can be cleaned weekly. Note: makeup is not for sharing!
Got Discoloration? Primer Can Help with That
Our faces don’t have that youthful glow anymore and, if you are like me, your skin has a reddish hue to it from one too many days in the sun. Tinted face primer is a game-changer. I bought one that is — brace yourselves — tinted green. But, my foundation has never looked more even, and I don’t look like Oscar the Grouch, either.
Skip the Eye Shadow and Face Your Fears: Liquid Eyeliner is Your Friend
Our makeup angel, er, artist, was blunt: No one needs to wear eye shadow every day. Sure, a smoky eye is fun for when you are going glam for a night on the town, but it’s OK to skip it for your everyday look (stay with me, I know this is hard to hear).
Our makeup artist told us to wear a liquid liner on our lids, a little mascara, and if we were feeling saucy, a little bit of pencil liner on the bottom of your eye. The process takes less than two minutes and, as a bonus, your eye shadow won’t be stuck in your eye crease by 3 p.m. Pro tip: You can skip the liner and just opt for mascara, but don’t skip the mascara if you are using liquid liner.
Walk Away from the Pressed Powder, Ladies 
Admittedly, this step was the hardest habit to break for me. Show of hands: Who covers their face in a foundation only to dust it with more powder than a jelly donut? Guilty as charged. I’m about to blow your mind. After applying primer and your foundation, you don’t need to add powder.
Our makeup artist suggested a makeup-setting powder or spray to set your makeup for the day. I didn’t believe it, either, but it’s the truth. (Spoiler: I opted for the setting powder because I just couldn’t make the full leap.) A little bit of setting powder seals my look all day, and I don’t have powder all over my business clothes before work. It’s a win-win.
A Word (or two) About Bronzer
Now that we know what we do about sun damage, most of us are informed enough to wear a moisturizer with SPF — but that means our faces don’t have that “summer glow.” When using bronzer, resist the urge to powder your entire face because let’s face it, that’s not how the sun works. If you are naturally sitting in the sun, the light hits you from the forehead to the nose to the chin, so lightly brush those areas with bronzer and add blush to your cheeks. You’ll thank me, I promise.
Updating your makeup bag doesn’t have to be fussy or complicated — and sometimes it just takes a girlfriend to help you kick some of your bad habits. And, you don’t have to do a total overhaul of your makeup products (we know how much you love that lipstick color from 1992; we won’t judge). Believe me, small changes will make you feel like you could start a YouTube makeup channel of your own.
About Ann Sherman, MBA, LE, CMLT, LSO
Ann is a licensed Medical Aesthetician and Certified Cosmetic Laser Technician, bringing 20 years of experience working in the medical field. After graduating from the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, she completed continuing education courses in advanced medical skin care, chemical peels, dermaplaning, specialized facials, and product knowledge. She then took her skincare knowledge to the next level by achieving certification through Oncology Aesthetics International.
About Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers (ICRC) is the largest multi-specialty oncology network in the Greater Metro Phoenix area. They have over 100 medical providers, a robust Integrative Services program, and a dedicated clinical research department. Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers has 15 valley locations and five comprehensive cancer care centers that offer a multi-disciplinary approach for expedited personalized patient care. For more information, please visit www.ironwoodcrc.com.